Dark Pavilion

Yu Ling'er lowered her voice. "The Demon Race has an organization specifically targeting talented humans like us. It's called the Dark Pavilion, and it specializes in hunting young cultivators with potential."

"In the previous Pivot Star Class, I heard fifteen people enrolled, but only seven graduated successfully. Three died in Dark Pavilion attacks. Four failed their evaluations and were demoted, while one was severely injured and crippled, leaving the academy in despair."

Yu Ling'er's words instantly froze the atmosphere. Wu Yu's hand holding his chopsticks stiffened, and some of the color drained from his face.

Even Li Yuan, who had been silently eating all along, raised his head, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes.

Heaven-gifted talents?

Only heaven-gifted talents who survived to grow up were truly heaven-gifted talents. Dead geniuses were nothing.

The path of cultivation at Divine Martial Academy was far crueler than he had imagined. Behind its glory stood a staircase paved with bones and blood.

The Demon Race's Dark Pavilion.

Li Yuan engraved that name deep in his heart.

After dinner, the four returned to Bamboo Listening Lodge. When Li Yuan pushed open the door, Shen Lian was sitting cross-legged on his bed, eyes closed as he regulated his breathing. He showed no reaction even when Li Yuan entered.

Li Yuan did not mind. He took out the Divine Martial Academy Regulations and began reading it carefully.

There were countless rules, yet he read through them quickly. His memory seemed much better than it had been in his previous life. He paid particular attention to memorizing the reward and punishment systems related to academic credits.

As the night deepened, Li Yuan washed up briefly and lay down fully clothed. Shen Lian had also long since fallen asleep on the other bed. From beginning to end, the two did not exchange a single word.

In the depths of night, all was silent.

"Clang—!"

Without warning, a piercing gong rang out, instantly tearing apart the stillness.

Then, an icy voice sounded.

"Pivot Star Class, get up. Assemble at the martial arts arena."

There was only that one sentence. Neither loud nor soft, yet clear enough for everyone to hear. There was no explanation, no urging, and no repetition.

The instant the voice fell—

"Swish!"

Ever alert, Li Yuan's eyes snapped open. He flipped out of bed, swiftly pulled on his academy uniform, quickly wiped his face, and even folded his blanket along the way. The entire process took no more than five or six breaths.

Just as he pulled open the door, he encountered Shen Lian. Their speeds had been almost perfectly synchronized, and they exchanged expressionless glances.

From the neighboring dormitories came faint sounds of panicked collisions and low grumbling.

Without a word, the two stepped out at the same time, left Bamboo Listening Lodge, and raced toward the martial arts arena.

The martial arts arena in the Hour of the Tiger was vast and bleak.

Li Yuan and Shen Lian arrived almost simultaneously. At the center of the grounds stood a crimson-clad figure with her hands behind her back, watching the arriving students with an expressionless face.

Soon, Wu Yu came stumbling over, his hair disheveled and his belt still untied. As he ran, he was haphazardly pulling his outer robe on. He practically crawled into the formation, looking utterly bedraggled.

The other students arrived one after another. All of them were panting heavily; some were still bleary-eyed, others improperly dressed, but they all managed to stand in place.

Liu Hongyan's gaze slowly swept over the crowd. She raised her wrist, glanced at a strangely designed metal bracer around it, and said flatly, "Assembly was set for three quarters into the Hour of the Tiger. Seven breaths have now passed since then. Thirteen expected, eleven present."

She lifted her eyes, her gaze icy. "Those who failed to arrive within the specified time are eliminated. Pack your belongings immediately and report to Earth Fiend Class."

Eliminated?

Everyone's hearts jolted. It was only the first day of school, their first assembly, and two people had been eliminated outright just for being late?

Wasn't that far too harsh?

Fear lingered on many faces as they secretly rejoiced that they had raced here with all their might.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded from afar. A slightly plump youth came running over, drenched in sweat, shouting as he ran, "Wait! Instructor Liu, I'm here..."

He rushed up, braced his hands against his knees, and gasped for breath. Only after a while did he straighten up. With a broad, ingratiating smile, he took a silver note from his robes and respectfully offered it to Liu Hongyan with both hands.

"Instructor, please forgive me. This student overslept and missed the time. It is only a small token, not worthy of respect. Please be merciful and make an exception. My family has modest means, and there will surely be a generous reward in the future."

The crowd could not help but stare in astonishment. This man was far too bold—he actually dared to openly offer a bribe.

Just as everyone looked at one another, assuming the fat youth was about to suffer terribly, Liu Hongyan merely glanced at the silver note. Her red lips curved slightly, and she actually accepted it, slipping it into her sleeve before waving him off. "Take your place."

"Thank you, Instructor."

The fat youth was overjoyed. He hurried into the formation, then smugly raised his chin at several classmates who were looking at him with disdain.

Everyone was utterly dumbfounded.

That worked?

So paying money meant there was no problem? Then what were the rules from before supposed to mean?

Liu Hongyan seemed to see through their thoughts and spoke coldly. "Think it's unfair? Remember this: here, I am the rule. Strength includes your cultivation, family background, and even your luck."

"As long as it can be used to solve a problem and achieve an objective, it is strength."

The moment her words fell, a languid-looking youth strolled over at an unhurried pace, idly playing with a jade pendant in his hand.

He walked to the front of the formation, casually cupped his hands toward Liu Hongyan, offered no explanation, and simply stepped into the ranks.

Yet Liu Hongyan acted as if she had not seen him. She said nothing and allowed him to take his place.

Li Yuan's eyes shifted slightly. Wu Yu leaned close and quickly whispered in an extremely low voice, "I know him. His name is Chu Yunhe, the only son of Chu Jinghong, Deputy Commander of the Demon Suppression Bureau."

So that was it.

Li Yuan understood. Chu Yunhe's identity was itself a kind of strength. It seemed Instructor Liu truly did not intend to raise a group of greenhouse flowers who only knew how to follow rules and understood nothing of the world.

Her rules were closer to cruel reality.

"Everyone is here."

"For your first lesson after enrollment, we'll assess your foundations. Let me see just how much substance you so-called geniuses truly have."

She gave the order coldly. "Pair up now and choose opponents for sparring. No weapons. No attacking fatal vital points. Stop at the proper moment. Anyone who voluntarily concedes or falls and cannot rise loses."

"Those without opponents will sit out the first round. Winners may continue choosing opponents for the next round. The final victor will receive five academic credits."

The moment she finished speaking, nearly everyone's eyes lit up with eagerness as they began sizing one another up.

"You."

Shen Lian stepped forward and pointed directly at Li Yuan, his eyes brimming with undisguised fighting intent and even a trace of excitement.

"Shen Lian." Wu Yu had long disliked him, and now that he had finally found an opportunity, he said, "I'll fight you."

Shen Lian frowned slightly, then nodded. "Fine."

While they spoke, everyone else had already chosen their opponents. Li Yuan smiled faintly, patted Wu Yu on the shoulder, and calmly stepped out of the formation.

To his surprise, he became the first person to sit out a round.

"Begin."

At Liu Hongyan's command, six pairs of students moved almost at once and clashed together.

Li Yuan stood quietly at the edge of the arena, his calm gaze sweeping across every battle. He watched closely; this was undoubtedly his best chance to learn the strength of his classmates.